Steph, you are such a kind soul. I feel this peace wash about me when I read this post. I know you are geniune when you say you will pray for us. If you can just pray that the peace I feel right now will last through out the month. December is always hard for me as its when there has been so much loss in my life and it seems to occur in this month. Christmas is especially hard because my step dad (who raised me) got admitted to the hospital on Christmas eve and never came home.

There are bits of light during this time-Alexis will be 15 in 8 days, but birthdays have sent me over the edge for her whole life. I am just trying to put everything in perspective and not give into my anxiety.

Sorry for writing a mini novel in your comments-but I know you'll understand. Thank you so much & know that I will be praying for you & your family this December and always!

I hope you know how ofen you pick me up (an countless others I am sure) with each and every post you write. Your words so gentle, your feelings so genuine! I read your post and know that I am not alone. It makes me wish we knew each other in real life.

I would just ask for prayers for staying on task this month with all the to dos with out over-extending myself (I have trouble saying no) so that my family can enjoy the Holidays in a simple but special way.

Thank you so much Stephanie! TERRIFIC post. Yesterday was a terrible day in mommy-land for me. With a 2-month-old and a uber-feisty 2-year-old, sometimes I feel like I am losing my mind! My biggest prayer request these days? Kindness, gentleness, patience, tenderness...pretty much all of the fruits of the Spirt. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I can't wait to meet you at Cupcake'10 if only for this post alone. Consider yourself hugged by a stranger.

I am feeling uneasy about my job right now, though I can't quite put my finger on it. Could you pray that I would a) have clarity, b) feel secure if I'm to stay, and c) that God would open doors if I'm to leave? Thank you.

I haven't talked much of it, but your post got me...can you pray for my daughter? Her MRSA has flared up and it's looking bad. I have to take her in today but we have no insurance right now. My son is sick as well...right when we lose our insurance due to layoffs, of course they get sick. I'm scared.

(I'm in the midst of getting them insurance but right now, this very moment when we really need it, we don't have it :( )

Thank you for posting this, Steph! I feel comfort in knowing I'm not alone. I know we can make it through this latest test, but if you just pop in a little thought or prayer that we make it through, that's wonderful.

Steph, you pick me up with every post of yours that I read. You're an inspiration to a new mom. On some days, on those drag-my-feet, my-house-will-never-be-clean-again days, a quick stop at the front door of this blog can help me shift my perspective into a more healthy place.

This was beautiful, and so selfless! I have to say, just your post was a pick-me-up, and very inspiring as well. It was such a gentle reminder to spend a little less time focusing on my little dramas, and a little more time focusing on others. Thank you for that!

Stephanie, You are so thoughtful and kind. I appreciate your willingness to be real and to relate! Thank you.I've been really wanting to go to Cupcake, but feeling a bit foolish like you (the event organizers and attendees) are on another level in your writing, your fashion, your ability to connect with others, and your sense of humor. However, with this post I realize that we probably all have much more in common than we realize. We are all trying our best and learning to lean on each other. I sure hope I have a chance to meet you in person in January!

Honestly, tomorrow is Fynn's allergy retest. We could use a prayer or two in hopes of outgrowing his peanut allergy... and a prayer for my sanity since I'll be wrangling both kids at the office at 11:30... a horrible time for a doctor's appointment! :)

Ivy's dress is just too cute. Can I just say, my caring, beautiful daughter, that I feel the need to help you pray for each comment left. I feel the group hug! We do need to lift one another up in these hard times.

The thing I struggle with this time of year is the big build up to Christmas and I always feel exhausted, depressed and sad the day after. I'm trying to talk to myself about enjoying the journey up to the holiday but not getting overwhelmed.

It's good to know we are all in it together! We just do our best and move on.

To Stephanie and all who have posted prayers here: I am praying for you! I appreciate that everyone is willing to share their stories and I really do pray. I ask that you would pray for our foster daughter. She is 2 and has never really been in a home before where she got help eating. She has been refusing to eat for months and is on her 2nd type of feeding tube. She is making progress here, but it's slow going. There are days when I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have her and days when I want to run away! The fact that you are so real, Stephanie, helps moms like me to put things into perspective. We are not alone - leaning on each other and sharing our struggles gives us strength =) Thank you!

Goodness, I'm so touched by your beautiful heart. I would like to pray for YOU! How can I specifically go to the Father on your behalf? You have reminded me today that sometimes we need to focus on others when we feel overwhelmed with our own situations; please pray that I would be more or a servant rather than a master.

I've read through all your comments (so far) and I've uttered a few prayers to go with yours. I'm ready for my husband to get home from his business trip -- but that's nothing compared to what many people are going through. Nothing like praying for others to renew a fresh perspective.

what a sweet post! I am rather grouchy b/c I'm 9 months pregnant, and you know, rather uncomfortable. Only 2 weeks to go, or less, I hope! :) I would love if you would pray for me as I move toward having this baby - for a healthy, natural labor, and also for my heart to stay fixed on Christ during those exhausting newborn weeks after she's born, and not be susceptible to depression.

How generous of you....Wanting to pray for all of us, without requesting we pray in return. One of the many reasons you are loved.

So sweet.

It's tough...it's been tough around here. Without a moment to breath in and out without a twinge of worry, guilt, fear, shame. I have my moments. I try my best to not dwell on the low moments, yet treasure the high's. I know things I complain about today will soon be history. I want to be far more grateful forcwhatci have than I currently am. I want contentness. I want peace.

I know where to find it, but why am I so scared? (you don't need to answer that...)

I really debated on leaving a comment.. airing my dirty laundry... but then I know you.. your heart... and I know that when you say you'll do something... you do... and Mimi... I know she'll be right beside you...

What a beautiful post and selfless measure during a time when you are struggling too.

Its great to remember we are all one big family. We can all turn to each other when we feel we have no one left,or we just want to get away from it all.

I pray everynight just to be closer to Christ. I beleive everything will be solved then. Most importantly though, my husband just lost his job. Weeks before xmas, so all of our xmas plan are completely on hold. I'm thankful my son is only 1 and won't notice, but it still makes me sad that christmas morning there wont be any presents under the tree. Who needs presents anyway! :)

I will be praying for all of these people that need prayers and most importantly.. you!

I think I need a little encouragement tonight. For some reason, I feel a bit weary, overwhelmed, kind of like crying. Just so, so, so much to do. I feel like I can never quite catch up, can never quite do all that needs doing...

I go see the colorectal surgeon and the Ob/Gyn tomorrow in Vancouver. I am hoping and praying and wishing that they will both have GOOD news for me. That good news will entail telling me that surgery to fix my birth injury is SOON! (I've been waiting 11 MONTHS to be fixed, and my husband has been waiting to get his wife back.)

Your blog keeps me encouraged as a mommy. And it's nice to be able to share the above request too. Thank you for listening.

You are always so KIND and so SWEET for thinking of others. Your heart is HUGE and always over flowing with love for your family and for others. I feel like I am a better person when I come to your blog and read the heartfelt words and thoughts that you share with us.

Please think happy thoughts, that we can avoid going back on meds with Madaline. We have been med free for a year now...She's having a rough time, having been sick, for a least the last two weeks, which cause her GERD to flair horribly and which makes her not eat, which makes her lose weight hand over fist, when she has none to lose in the first place. Its a nasty cycle - one we work so hard to avoid.

Wow, as others have said, just your offer of keeping us in your thoughts and prayers has made my day.

While our family is not as bad off as others, my husband was told last week that he needs to find a new job by the end of January. So, we are hunting and hunting, and possibly moving in two months. Yikes! I am just asking for prayers to keep life in perspective. Our family is so luck to have our health and have each other and food and a roof over our heads. We are so blessed.

This last 3 months has been very difficult for my children and I. I am trying to figure out how to raise them alone after am accident took husband's life labor day weekend. Some days I don't think I can do it, but I still find the strength to get out of bed get them ready for school and go teach a roomful of 5th graders. I am just hoping I can make it through the holidays and still bring my children joy.